The Emerald Virgin (Gem Apocalypse Book 1) by Ravyn Rayne

you."
    "No." Aria shook her head. "The auction. Why did you show up at the auction?"
    He exhaled a soft breath and wrapped an arm around her waist. She didn't stop him. She knew he'd probably fall off onto the floor if he didn't hold her close.
    "My father told me you were gone, that he'd gotten rid of you." James grimaced. Clearly there had been more to the exchange than James confessed. "I asked around, it took me a few days to find out that you were part of the slave auction. As soon as I knew you'd be there, I traveled with Matthew to find you."
    "Matthew," Aria said and her stomach clenched remembering the driver that killed Ethan. "What were you planning on doing?" Aria asked. "After you bought me, what was the plan?" Her eyes stared into his blue reflective pools.
    James shrugged. "I didn't think that far ahead."
    "You do realize we couldn't have gone back to the palace. Your father..." she paused, unconfident in voicing what happened aloud. "When he removed the ankle bracelet, he..."
    "What did he do?" James voice raised slightly sounding alarmed.
    The bed above them shifted and James grew silent. Neither wanted to wake anyone.
    "He made a pass at me," Aria said. Would he believe her? There was more to it than that, but she didn't wish to relive the moment or to give the embarrassing details to James.
    James didn't say a word but she could hear his breathing grow louder with anger. "August and my father, they are so much alike."
    "August is his son."
    "So am I." James frowned. "You know I would never make you..."
    "I know." She didn't make him finish his thought. Aria spent enough time around James to know if he'd have wanted to take advantage of her, he would have by now. She hesitated before leaning in and pressing a soft chaste kiss to his cheek. "Thank you for coming here with me, and for showing up at the auction."
    James smiled. "You didn't think I was going to let you leave with that old man?"
    Aria didn't answer his question. It had crossed her mind. "Did you finish drawing the map?"
    "Yeah." James leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers. "I want you to stay here, where it's safe, while we release the hostages and go after my father."
    Aria smiled, surprised James called his courtesans what they were: hostages. Had he begun to understand how flawed the very system that his father created was?
    She wouldn't make a promise she couldn't keep. "We'll see what happens."
    James groaned softly beside her ear. "Promise me, Aria."
    Aria remained silent. She would not be a liar. If Rhys or another rebel asked for her to join them, she would gladly infiltrate the castle and rescue those that wish to leave the palace.
    She was sure it wouldn't be easy to go to war with his father and brothers, but they were fighting for more than just their freedom. They were fighting for a new country, a better country with equality and morals, for a world that once held ideals that were not entirely fictionalized.
    "Go to sleep," Aria said and kissed his eyelids as he closed them. She shifted around, letting him hold her while she drifted off to sleep. She began to forgive him. If he proved his loyalty with the invasion of the palace, she would know without a doubt that he was hers.
     
     
     
     

Chapter Six
     
    "Get up!" Rhys said.
    Aria sat up in bed, and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. James lay beside her, his eyes now open as well.
    "Aria," Rhys tossed her a backpack. "You're coming with me. I suggest you shorten your hair. There's scissors and dye in the bag. Also a set of blues to keep anyone from recognizing you."
    "Thanks." Aria took the bag to the bathroom. Four other girls were crammed into the small space. She didn't fight them. They all needed to share. She pulled out the scissors first and trimmed her hair to the back of her neck in length. She worked in layers and then added bangs that were angled across her forehead. She glanced at the directions on the dented box.
    It took no time at all for her to see the